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Whether they have a learner’s permit or are fully licensed to drive by themselves, drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 are responsible for a disproportionate number of car accidents in Illinois. Since teen drivers rarely maintain independent insurance coverage, financial recovery after a serious wreck generally comes from their parents’ or guardians’ insurance. Unfortunately, insurance providers are likely to take advantage of you while you are still in a vulnerable state after an accident.

For this reason, achieving a positive outcome from claims based on teen driving accidents in Elgin often requires guidance from a motor vehicle crash attorney who has successfully handled cases of this nature before. You deserve compensation for damages sustained in any accident you did not cause, and dedicated legal counsel at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. could work on your behalf to pursue it in an efficient and effective manner.

State Laws for Teenage Drivers in Elgin

In the interest of protecting both teenagers and the people with whom they share the road, the State of Illinois has established several driving restrictions that apply to teen drivers. To obtain a driver’s license prior to turning 18, a teenager must have certification from their parent(s) or guardian(s) that they have practiced driving with adult supervision for 50 hours, at least 10 of which must have occurred after dark.

Licensed underage drivers are not allowed to drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the week or between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. They also may not carry more than one passenger under 20 years old – with exceptions for siblings and children of the teen driver – until they turn 18 or have had their license for one year, whichever happens first.

Who is Financially Liable After a Teen Driving Accident?

Unfortunately, these laws can only do so much to prevent these inexperienced drivers from making unwise decisions and causing serious collisions in the process. If an auto accident in Elgin occurs specifically because of a violation of traffic or other relevant state laws, it may impose civil liability against the teens or their parent(s) or guardian(s) for losses.

Teenagers typically have car insurance coverage through their parent(s) or guardian(s), so claims filed for accidents involving minor drivers in Elgin usually proceed through that policy. A case may become complicated if an underage driver is underinsured or uninsured, either because they are not named in their parents’ or guardians’ insurance policy or because neither they, nor any adult responsible for them, has sufficient coverage.

Get in Touch with an Elgin Attorney about a Teen Driving Accident Claim

Teen drivers are involved in tens of thousands of auto accidents every year in Illinois, and many of these collisions lead to substantial injuries for involved parties. If an inexperienced driver caused you harm, seeking civil recovery may be and a complex endeavor.

Fortunately, assistance is available from knowledgeable legal representatives at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. who have a track record of positive case results following teen driving accidents in Elgin. Reach out today to learn more.

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